A study on work life balance amongst managers of garment units in Tamilnadu State, India

Work life balance plays an important role now a day. Employees want it, managers need it, and organization cannot afford to ignore it! Managers need to take work-life balance seriously particularly in garment units. The more overworked and overloaded, the higher the demands or the expectations on the department or the work unit, the more the managers have to rely on their employees to produce at the highest possible level of efficiency, effectiveness, and quality. If managers are out of balance or stressed or sick then they will be less committed to the outcomes, they will be less committed to the organization, they will be less committed to the client, the product or goods or service that they are producing. This research paper examined the work life balance amongst managers of garment units in Tamil nadu state. The methodology adopted for the study was descriptive research design. Data were collected from 480 managers through questionnaire method around Tamilnadu state, India. In the present study, stastical tools such as percentage analysis, mean value, chi-square, ANOVA, and correlation analysis were used for the analysis. The results indicated that the work life balance of managers are not completely successful due to their present working hours, working environment and increase in products prices, work load, responsibilities in work and  decrease of job security due to recession

EFFECT OF EVOLVULUS ALSINOIDES EXTRACT ON MEMBRANE BOUND ENZYME ACTIVITIES IN THE TISSUES OF STREPTOZOTOCIN INDUCED DIABETIC RATS

The present study investigated the possible therapeutic effects of the whole plant ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinoideson oral glucose tolerance test and the membrane bound enzyme activity in streptozotocin induced diabetes rats. Theantidiabetic effect of ethanolic extract of Evolvulus alsinodes were studied at different concentrations like 50 mg, 150 mg and300 mg/kg body weight in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats for 14 days. In that 150 mg/kg dosage showed significantreduction in blood glucose. Hence further studies were carried out by using the dosage of 150 mg/kg. The effects of an ethanolextract of Evolvulus alsinoides on the activities of marker enzymes were also examined in the liver and kidney tissues.Decreased levels of Sodium potassium, magnesium ATPases were observed in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats whereascalcium ATPase was increased in diabetic rats. Administration of plant extract to diabetic rats for 45 days restored all membranebound enzyme activities as to that of control rats and there is no significant difference were found between control and plantextract alone groups. It might be related in part to the modification of fatty acid content during diabetes. Thus the ethanolicextract of Evolvulus alsinoides may alleviate liver and renal damage associated with streptozotocin induced diabetesmellitus in rats

Unravelling the carbon pools and carbon stocks under different land uses of Conoor region in Western Ghats of India

Land uses are pivotal in global carbon cycles. The native forest lands possess a greater potential to sequester higher carbon, which can directly address soil quality and climate change problems. Unfortunately, the rapid conversion of forests to other land use over the past few decades has significantly declined the concentration of carbon in the soils.  Therefore, in order to estimate the impact of land-use change (LUC)  on soil carbon status, this present study was attempted under major ecosystems (Forest (FOR), cropland (CRP), tea plantation (TEA)) of Conoor. Results from findings revealed that total organic carbon (TOC) concentration and carbon pools were significantly  (p<0.05) higher in FOR than in CRP and TEA.  TOC (0-45 cm) recorded in FOR, CRP and TEA was 32.88, 11.87 and 18.84 g kg-1 and it decreased along the depth increment. Carbon stock (t ha-1) in FOR, CRP and TEA (0-45cm) was 68.10, 26.04, 42.42. Microbial biomass carbon (MBC) was higher in FOR (283.08 mg kg-1) followed by TEA (94.64 mg kg-1) and CRP (76.22 mg kg-1). The microbial biomass nitrogen (MBN) followed; FOR > TEA > CRP. These results clearly indicate that the LUC has inflicted a greater impact on soil carbon status and its extent was quantified using the land degradation index (LDI). The LDI (0-45 cm) recorded in CRP (-38.65) and TEA (-61.75) signals the need for immediate implementation of carbon management strategies in the CRP and TEA ecosystem to keep the soils of Conoor alive and prevent land degradation

Carbon management Index under different land uses of Conoor region of Western ghats in Tamil Nadu

The increased land-use change (LUC) from native lands to other land use at the Conoor region of western ghats in Tamil Nadu has severely declined soil carbon concentration.  Therefore to quantify this decline, Carbon Management Index (CMI) was worked out under major land uses {(Forest (FOR), cropland (CRP), tea plantation (TEA)} using total organic carbon (TOC) and carbon pools under varying degrees of lability {a) NLC (non-labile carbon) b) VLC (very labile carbon) c) LC (labile carbon) d) LLC (less labile carbon)}. Results portray that the carbon pools were significantly (p < 0.05) higher in FOR than in TEA and CRP. The contribution of active pools {(very labile carbon (VLC) and labile carbon (LC)} towards TOC was higher in TEA and CRP, whereas in FOR, the passive pool {(less labile carbon (LLC) and non-labile carbon (NLC)} was higher. TOC (0-45 cm) was concentrated on the surface soils of FOR (32.88 g kg-1), CRP (11.87 g kg-1) and TEA (18.84 g kg-1) and it gradually declined with the increase in depth. The decline in TOC was maximum between 0 – 15 and 15 – 30 cm depth in CRP (30.62%) and FOR (22.17%), whereas it was maximum (37.16%) between 15 -30 and 30 -45 cm depth in TEA. Therefore, LUC spotlights the degradation of carbon pools and its extent was quantified using the carbon management index (CMI). The CMI (0 – 45 cm) recorded at CRP (12.93) and TEA (32.62) signals the need for an implementation of carbon management strategies at Conoor to keep the soils alive and protect biodiversity

Protective effect of the whole plant extract of Evolvulus alsinoides on glycoprotein alterations in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats

Objective: To assess the effect of Evolvulus alsinoides (E. alsinoides) on glycoprotein levels in liver, kidney and pancreas of control and diabetes induced rats. Methods: Wistar albino rats were used for the present study. The diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at 45 mg/kg body weight. After the induction of diabetes the rats were treated with glibenclamiede and E. alsinoides for 45 d. At the end of the experimental period the glycoprotein levels were estimated by using standard protocols. Results: Significantly higher levels of glycoproteins were observed in the tissues of diabetic rats when compared with the control rats. After treated with ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides and standard drug resulted in the reduction of glycoproteins when compared with the diabetic control rats. Conclusions: The present study proved that that ethanolic extract of E. alsinoides owned a beneficial effect on glycoprotein components. Hence, it can be used in the prevention of glycoprotein medicated complications in diabetes mellitus

Morbidity profile of elderly outpatients attending selected sub-district Siddha health facilities in Tamil Nadu, India

Background: Recently, under National Health Mission alternate systems of Medicine are mainstreamed in public health care system. Effective action plan generation, logistic arrangement and roll out of these alternate systems of Medicine needs understanding on profile of morbidities among attendees who come to these facilities. Objectives: This study was planned to report profile of morbidities, age and sex differentials in specific morbidities among geriatric attendees in secondary level siddha health facilities. Materials and Methods: A facility based cross sectional study was conducted among elderly person (60 years and above) attending Siddha outpatient department (OPD) from two of the randomly selected sub district level siddha facilities in Erode district, Tamil Nadu, India. Information on socio-demographic variables like age, gender, education and clinical profile (diagnosis) were collected from records already maintained in the siddha OPD. Morbidities were summarized in terms of proportions based on age and gender. Age and sex specific differentials on specific morbidities were compared using 'z' test. Results: Of 2710 patients who visited these two siddha facilities during the reference period, 763 (28.1%) patients were elderly. Arthritis (45.2%), neuritis (8.8%), diabetes (6.6%), bronchial asthma (5.2%), hemiplegia (3.7%) were the top five morbidities diagnosed and treated among elderly attending the siddha OPD. There was a predilection towards elderly male for morbidities such as bronchial asthma and hemiplegia compared to elderly female. Similarly, higher proportions of lumbar spondylosis, hypertension and fungal skin diseases were reported among aged 80 years or more compared to elderly aged 60-79 years. Conclusion: Elderly constitute more than one fourth of outpatients load from siddha health facilities. Degenerative diseases like arthritis and non-communicable diseases were the common morbidities in this age group. Geriatric clinics and mobile clinics under siddha system may help in improving health care services

Anti-Aging and Neurorescue Effects of Loquat in Caenorhabditis elegans and Electrochemical Quantification of Dopamine Neurotransmitter

Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica Lindl.), a semitropical fruit tree originating from Southeast Asia, is highly valued in traditional folk medicine. Despite this, its potential antiaging and anti-Parkinson’s effects have yet to be thoroughly explored. This research delves into the neuroprotective and antiaging attributes of loquat, employing the Caenorhabditis elegans model. Loquat, containing a significant amount of primary and secondary metabolites, has been shown to enhance the lifespan, healthspan, and food-sensing behavior of C. elegans. In addition to having antioxidant properties, loquat lowered reactive oxygen species levels by stimulating stress response genes. Additionally, loquat mitigates lipofuscin, lipid deposition, and germline apoptosis, safeguards dopaminergic neurons, and reduces α-synuclein aggregation. Electrochemical analysis demonstrate that loquat restored dopamine levels. Moreover, loquat showed functional enhancements in dopamine-dependent behaviors. The extension of longevity by loquat involves the upregulation of DAF-16 and SKN-1 target genes. This study underscores the therapeutic promise of loquat in mitigating aging and Parkinson’s disease

Nematicidal Activity of Grammicin Biosynthesis Pathway Intermediates in Xylaria grammica KCTC 13121BP against Meloidogyne incognita

Grammicin, a polyketide metabolite produced by the endolichenic fungus Xylaria grammica KCTC 13121BP, shows strong nematicidal activity against Meloidogyne incognita. This study was performed to elucidate the grammicin biosynthesis pathway of X. grammica KCTC 13121BP and to examine the nematicidal activity of the biosynthesis intermediates and derivatives against M. incognita. Two grammicin biosynthesis intermediates were isolated from a T-DNA insertion transformant (strain TR-74) of X. grammica KCTC 13121BP and identified as 2-(hydroxymethyl)cyclohexa-2,5-diene-1,4-dione (compound 1) and 2,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (compound 2), which were also reported to be intermediates in the biosynthesis pathway of patulin, an isomer of grammicin. This indicates that the grammicin biosynthesis pathway overlaps almost with that of patulin, except for the last few steps. Among 13 grammicin biosynthesis intermediates and their derivatives (except grammicin), toluquinol caused the highest M. incognita J2 mortality, with an LC50/72 h value of 11.13 µg/mL, which is similar to grammicin with an LC50/72 h value of 15.95 µg/mL. In tomato pot experiments, the wettable powder type formulations (WP) of toluquinol (17.78 µg/mL) and grammicin (17.78 µg/mL) also effectively reduced gall formation on the roots of tomato plants with control values of 72.22% and 77.76%, respectively, which are much higher than abamectin (16.67%), but lower than fosthiazate (100%). The results suggest that toluquinol can be used directly as a biochemical nematicide or as a lead molecule for the development of new synthetic nematicides for the control of root-knot nematode diseases